Header Right

Dedicated Live Export Facility

A re-elected Liberal Government will support a $110 million investment in a dedicated live export loading berth at Kwinana, Premier Colin Barnett revealed today.

Plan will end the transport of sheep and cattle through Fremantle

Construction of new facility to create 100 jobs

Design will allow for the largest livestock carriers in the world

Mr Barnett said the new facility, to be funded from the proceeds of the partial sale of Western Power, would be built close to Fremantle Ports’ Kwinana Bulk terminal.

“This will be a world-class dedicated livestock and fodder loading system that will quickly and efficiently turn ships around in the minimum of time, an important factor for the viability of our sheep and cattle producers,” Mr Barnett said.

“A Liberal Government will work with industry to foster joint investment in the new facility to ensure it best meets industry needs.”

The Premier also said the new facility would end the need to move sheep and cattle trucks through Fremantle to the north quay, overcoming community concern about noise, dust and smell.

It would also allow Fremantle to capitalise on its growing attraction as a cruise ship destination and free up the use of berths 1 and 2 at the mouth of the Fremantle Port inner harbour.

“The provision of infrastructure is an essential role for Government in ensuring WA’s agricultural producers are as efficient and productive as possible.

Agriculture Minister Mark Lewis said the Liberal-led Government had always been a strong supporter of the live export trade, recognising that WA markets demand high-quality, disease free and humanely produced and shipped livestock.

“While chilled meat products are appropriate for some markets, many of the world’s most populous countries, which have the greatest need for meat, do not have a well-developed refrigerated distribution network,” Mr Lewis said.

“These countries represent big opportunities for WA livestock producers and a Liberal-led Government supports them in supplying live sheep and cattle to these markets. High quality, well- located infrastructure is vital for an efficient live export trade.”

The preferred site is adjacent to the existing marine infrastructure at Kwinana Bulk Terminal and Kwinana Bulk Jetty which will be able to utilise part of these structures for truck access to the livestock export facility.

It is envisioned that the final design will be for a new large long loading dock with a design water depth of 12.65m metres and a large truck turning apron to allow for the most efficient livestock truck fanning and the largest livestock carriers in the world.

Mr Lewis said the Liberal-led Government had made big investments in infrastructure to improve agricultural productivity. This included major improvements to grain freight routes and commodities roads across the State, agricultural irrigation projects, Doppler radars and the $70 million expansion of the Busselton Margaret River Airport which would provide opportunities for agricultural air freight.

Fact File

Approximately 68 livestock ships now berth at Fremantle every year.

In 2014-15 live cattle exports were valued at $236.7 million; live sheep exports at $192.2 million.

In 2015-16 1.8 million livestock were exported from Fremantle, with 2 million forecast for 2016-17.

Western Australia’s robust biosecurity systems play a critical role maintaining the

State’s reputation for producing healthy livestock and ensuring that our livestock are ‘fit to trade’